Expand Number of Safe Injection Sites

Introductory Paragraph

A safe injection site is a specific location where people can safely inject an illicit drug under a medical professional's supervision. Everyday there are more than 100 people who overdose, and the objective of these sites is to provide a safe and clean environment to decrease the number of overdoses. These sites help to stop the spread of life-threatening infections, such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Safe injection sites have been in use in Europe, Australia, and Canada for decades. However, the use of these sites is relatively new to the United States and there is still much debate on their use and whether states or the federal government should allow these sites to exist.

Key Information

Safe injection sites are important because they can lower the rate of overdoses in a community by having trained individuals at the site to assist and monitor those with substance use disorder while they inject. Safe injection sites also provide clean needles and other supplies to reduce risks. These sites are important because they can provide a safe and sterile environment for users to learn about proper injection and hygienic methods. This may lower infections which can easily be transmitted. Further, these sites may be the first place that someone with substance use disorder decides that they want help. Having individuals working at these sites who are trained in knowing the resources available can help a person get the help they need.

Injection sites are more than just a place for individuals to inject illicit drugs safely. These sites can provide classes, resources, therapy options, and programs. Class topics offered range from proper hygiene to product preparation. Having these classes and programs available helps to reduce overdose and the spread of infectious diseases. These sites also provide referral options for treatment and recovery.

Individuals who want to get involved and have a say on these programs can:

• Contact their local, state and federal legislature
• Watch for and vote on legislation that will allow these sites to operate
• Educate individuals on substance use disorder to remove stigma
• Once sites are opened, individuals can support the site and get word out that these programs are available in the community

Relevant Research

• A longitudinal study done in France on the practice of community-based safe injection sites had promising results. This study focused on providing education on safely injecting and safe hygiene practices at the sites. It found that using proper methods helps to reduce the risk of overdose and the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

• This article indicates that best evidence from cohort and modeling studies suggests safe injection sites are associated with lower overdose mortality, 67% fewer ambulance calls for treating overdoses, and a decrease in HIV infections.

• This report provides a literature review on safe consumption facilities.

• This article documents the benefit of an unsanctioned supervised injection site in the U.S.

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

• Federal Law. In January of 2021, the Third Circuit Appellate Court in the United States Department of Justice ruled that safe injection sites were illegal under federal law. This overturned a decision by the district court on the matter. However, in February of 2022 the Department of Justice released a statement stating that they are evaluating such facilities.

• New York. In November of 2021, New York two safe injection sites began operating in Manhattan. New York currently has a proposal for the Safer Consumption Services Act. If this act passes into law it would allow New York to open more sites statewide. As of 10/27/23, this bill is still in committee.

• Advocacy. A key part for communities to be able to expand safe injection sites in the United States is to continue to remove the stigma of addiction. Many individuals still believe that those with substance abuse disorders can just stop. We do not expect people with autoimmune disorders or other diseases to stop or figure it out on their own, and we should provide the same care and understanding to those with substance abuse disorders. Educating individuals on substance abuse disorders and how this disease can affect people is an important part of being able to get more legislation to open sites nationwide.

Available Tools and Resources

• SAFE Project:
  • "Have A Safety Plan" is a SAFE Project resource that instructs drug users on how to create a safety plan to prevent overdoses.
  • See the wiki titled "The Linkage Between Syringe Use and Infectious Disease" for more detailed information on drug use and the concern for those with an SUD catching or spreading infectious diseases.

• The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse provides a FAQ-sheet on supervised injection facilities.

• The British Columbia Ministry of Health has published a community guidebook providing an overview of harm reduction and various actions which can be taken at the municipal level to develop a strategy for mobilizing communities around harm reduction. It focuses on supporting the development of a community response using the traditional authority of municipal jurisdictions.

Promising Practices

• The Transform Drug Policy Foundation documents almost 200 safe injection sites in operation across the world in fourteen countries including Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Ukraine, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Iceland and the US.

• United States. A grant of more than $5 million over 4 years will go to New York University and Brown University in Providence, RI, to study 1,000 people at New York’s two sites, along with one set to open in Providence next year.